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Preserved Flora and Organics in Impact Melt BrecciasAt least seven glass-bearing strata of varying ages occur at different horizons in the Pampean sediments of Argentina dating back to the Miocene. In a strict sense, these impact glasses are melt-matrix breccias composed of partially digested minerals clasts and basement fragments indicative of crater excavation. Ar-40/Ar-39 dating yield ages (+/- 2 sigma) of 6 +/- 2 Ka, 114 +/- 26 Ka, 230 +/- 30 Ka, 445 +/- 21 Ka, 3.27 +/- 0.08 Ma (near Mar del Plata = MdP), 5.28 +/- 0.04 Ma, and 9.21 +/- 0.08 Ma (near Chasico = CH) Where found in place (not reworked), these ages are consistent with the local stratigraphy and faunal assemblages. A striking property of some of these impact glasses is the encapsulation of preserved fragments of floral (and even soft-tissue faunal remains). Here we identify retained organics and describe a likely process of encapsulation and preservation.
Document ID
20140013110
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Schultz, P. H. (Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Harris, R. Scott (Georgia Dept. of Transportation Forest Park, GA, United States)
Clemett, S. J. (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Thomas-Keprta, K. L. (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Zarate, M. (Universidad Nacional de la Pampa Santa Rosa, Argentina)
Date Acquired
October 21, 2014
Publication Date
March 17, 2014
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-30760
LPI Contrib 2002
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 17, 2014
End Date: March 21, 2014
Sponsors: Universities Space Research Association, Lunar and Planetary Inst., NASA Johnson Space Center
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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